Applications of a monomeric orthopalladate complex containing mixed phosphorus–nitrogen donors in the Heck reaction

The [Pd{C6H2(CH2CH2NH2)-(OMe)2,3,4}Br(PPh3)] monomeric orthopalladate complex of homoveratrylamine and triphenylphosphine was synthesized and its application in Heck coupling reactions was investigated. This complex had been demonstrated to be more active than the corresponding dimeric catalyst for Heck reactions of aryl iodides, bromides and even chlorides and also arenesulfonyl chlorides. The cross-coupled products were produced in excellent yields using catalytic amounts of [Pd{C6H2(CH2CH2NH2)-(OMe)2,3,4}Br(PPh3)] as a thermally stable and oxygen insensitive complex in NMP at 130 °C.